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From Udaipur to Jodhpur: Stop in Kumbalgarh?

Hello,
As part of early planning for appx 2-week Rajasthan trip in January, I am trying to decide whether it makes sense to break the journey from Udaipur to Jodhpur, spending the night say in Kumbalgarh. I gather it can (easily?) be visited (along with Ranakpur?) in one day en route and we can still wind up in Jodhpur by dark. Question is this: is there enough "exploring" to do in and around Kumbalgarh to make an overnight stop interesting? Is there someplace else worth stopping? Or am I better off saving the night for later in the trip? Many thanks to those on this forum who have helped me with trips in the past, including one to India in '11 (see trip report under my name if interested).

Kumbhalgarh is probably my favourite Indian fortresses, huge and looming with great views. I think overnighting there is a good idea. In addition to the fortress and the temples at nearby Ranakpur, there is a nature preserve where you can do horseback rides or jeep trips. There is also a nightly sound and light show at the fort in the evening.

From Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh will be about 2 hours, most of it on the new dual-carriage highway. I am not sure of the status of the completion of the highway north to Jodhpur, so I think that the trip will take you about 3 - 4 hours. It could be considerably less if the highway is finished.

Once you are off the highway, the trip on the back roads is marvelous - - lots of villages and farms. If you have a guide in the car, they can perhaps show you one of the village water wheels drawn by horses or cows; you may not notice these yourself.

The drive between Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh takes about 50 minutes.

For a hotel, consider the Aodhi, see http://www.hrhhotels.com/Royal_Retreats/The_Aodhi_Hotel/index.aspx. I have not stayed there, but have been for meals and have toured the rooms. While not luxurious, they seemed perfectly comfortable and are in a nice green setting within about 50 yards of the first gate of Kumbhalgarh. If you consider staying here, I would probably suggest what I believe are called the “tiger theme” rooms as they seemed the newest and nicest and had good-size balconies. There are other hotels in the area, see something like Tripadvisor.com

Ranakpur is closed to non-Jains daily until Noon so bear that in mind when planning. Ranakpur take less time to see than Kumbhalgarh. You can see most of Ranakpur in about an hour or maybe a bit more, unless you are having a meal there or really want to walk to see all the small temples. Ranakpur has one main temple, another major sun temple, and many smaller temples. A guide can be useful in explaining the various parts of the main temple and aspects of the Jain religion if you are not familiar with them. You may be able to find guides at the entrance. You cannot bring any kind of leather into the temple (i.e. belts, handbags), but will leave them outside with your shoes. They have a vegetarian lunch every day which you can buy.

Kumbhalgarh is enormous. The first time I went I had a guide which was helpful as there is very little signage to guide you. I am not sure many guidebooks cover it in depth so you may not find much printed information or any maps. I’m pretty good on my Indian history, but if you are not then again a guide may be useful for background explanation. However, even without a guide you will find it impressive, and if you follow the crowds up the hill to the main fort area, should be able to find most of the main palace rooms. Be sure to see the Hindu temple with the Shiva lingam which is down near the entrance (to the right with your back to the main entrance), and to walk some of the fort walls as well so you can appreciate their massive size. How much you can see will depend on how much time you want to spend there. Views are marvelous.

As a complete alternative, I would love to try the tented camp on the reservoir at Chattra Sagar, take a look at http://www.chhatrasagar.com/ It really is out of the way for the Jodhpur- Udaipur route. So if you overnight there, you could not also do Kumbhalgarh/Ranakpur. (I supposed you could, but you would be giving short shrift to both it and Chatra Sagar. Not something that would interest me, my travel mantra is: less is more. (Chatra Sagar may be more doable for a Jaipur – Jodhpur trip, not sure what your itin includes.)

Finally, instead of or as an adjunct to Ranakpur, you can also see two similar Jain temples outside Udaipur in Delwara where the truly divine Devigarh hotel is located. You could have lunch at Devigarh as part of the trip. There is also a major Hindu temple complex at nearby Eklingji. The village in which Devigarh is located is absolutely worth a wander as well. (You might want to visit the Delwara temple on a day when the Marahajaj of Udaipur goes to the temple to pray, which I think is each Monday. I understand it can be packed on that day but could be interesting.)

Yes...... I am full agree with Cicerone, Kumbhalgarh is nice place to visit and if you want you can stay one night, I remember lot of good memories of Kumbhalgarh fort and Rankpur Jian temples. these are very nice place.

Chattra Sagar is well worth going there. Even if you have been to the most lovely African safari camps, this place will still be very special. I loved everything about it. The hospitality was our best in India and we stayed at very good places. It was an "out of our time" experience. But..get there with enough time to enjoy it. Getting there after dark and leaving early morning...not worth the drive there.
Of course, Devigarh is also a must. The local temples were fascinating.
I want to go back to India.

Thanks for your detailed response, Cicerone, and to flora and Elainee for your thoughts as well. Based on your feedback my plan is indeed to stay at Kumbalgarh, either combined with Ranakpur or undertaking Ranakpur as a day trip from Udaipur. (Chattra Sagar surely looks enticing but I think I will save it for when my wife and I don't have our college-age son in tow!). Now I would welcome your perspectives on the rest of our Rajasthan itinerary; I shall post a separate plea on Fodors shortly.

its always worth to have night in kumbalgarh you have intresting things to do here like vsit majestic fort,horse ride,during dinner soung and light show,and ranakpur visit .. what you should start your drive from udaipur around 10 or 10.30 its drive of around 2.30 hours from to ranakpur and temple open during noon so you will be there around 12.30 visit of temple will be od 1.15 hour hardly then there good resturants option in ranakpur best is maharani bagh and then from ranakpur to kumbalgarh is 1hour drive then you visit fort and in evening or during morning you can have horse that you will love for sure.. and in morning after breakfast you can start your drive to jodhpur and by the lunch time you will be in jodhpur

Brk01, I was planning to post the same question, so I hope you mind me jumping here

We are spending 3 nights in Udaipur and I was debating spending a night en route to Jodhpur. We are traveling with 2 kids ages 11 & 8 and they have done long car rides before. I was planning to get to Jodhpur by night and stay there for 3 nights.

Bit now I am considering spending a night at Kumbalbagh, any nice hotels other than Abodi ?

And I also looked at Chatta Sagar and looks lovely.is it a lot of deviation to ge and spend a night there before hitting Jodpur ? And also we wanted do a deser safari too. Looking at Samsara desert camp.

Shubha_r, as you mentioned that you are traveling with kids, it is better to have short drives instead of long. Hence I suggest you to stay either in Kumbhalgarh or Ranakpur or Luni. To experience desert, if you are not going to Jaisalmer, you can stay either at Samsara Desert camp or Manvar Camps.

It seems you are on leisure holidays . You have to avoid long drive and can go through different options which are enroute only. There are some other Hotels in kumbhalgarh like
Kumbhalgarh fort , Mahindra club

Ranakpir has more options of Hotels look at three Hotels of Ranakpur

Maharani bagh,
kings abode
Fateh bagh

There are close by heritage hotels like Rawla Narlai,
Near Jodhpur Rohatgarh is nice Hotel